Hurriyat Conference chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today termed the resumption of India-Pakistan talks as a step that generates hope and expressed confidence that the new year will usher in an atmosphere of positive understanding to help resolve all the bilateral issues.
"The resumption of dialogue process between New Delhi and Islamabad is a hope-generating step. We hope that the arrival of the New Year 2016 would foster an atmosphere of better relations and positive understanding between India and Pakistan leading to resolution of all pending issues including the vexed issue of Jammu and Kashmir," Mirwaiz said addressing the Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid here.
He said the two nuclear neighbours have no option but to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue.
"We hope that the two countries understand the fact that it is this (Kashmir) issue and not Siachen, Sir Creek or trade and travel which has kept peace in entire South Asia hostage for the past seven decades and led to three wars and killings of innumerable human beings," the separatist leader said.
He hoped that the two countries would now take steps to prioritize the resolution of the vexed Kashmir issue.
"There is no military solution to this issue because had it been so, the issue would have not remained unresolved since 1947. It has been recognized by the International community as well that negotiations provide the best way of resolving issues and Kashmir issue should also be addressed and resolved through dialogue," he said.
The Hurriyat chairman said if both the countries wish to have a new beginning of peace and stability based on the spirit of mutual understanding and respect, it should start from Kashmir.
"The growing cordiality between the two countries can reflect on the ground in Kashmir only when black laws like AFSPA and PSA are withdrawn, all the political prisoners are freed from the jails, there is an end to curbs and restrictions on the peaceful political, social and religious activities of Hurriyat leadership, right to assemble and protest of the people is respected," he said.
He also demanded disbanding of "terror groups with the nomenclature VDCs (Village Defence Committees) which are there to terrorize people of a particular outlook".
